RESIDENTS in Rother are being reminded to have their say on next year’s budget plans as the Council faces continued financial pressures.

Local people and businesses as well as charities and organisations are being asked to give their views via the annual budget consultation on how they would like the Council to respond amid increasing demands on its finances.

Councillor Ashan Jeeawon, Rother District Council Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance Management, said: “We know our residents and businesses are being hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis, and economic uncertainty is affecting the Council’s budget too.

“We face a possible budget shortfall of £2.2million and need to make some difficult decisions about where to spend and where to save over the coming financial year.”

The Council’s budget proposals include increasing council tax by 2.99 per cent and increasing the fees and charges for the majority of council services by 10 per cent, which is in line with current inflation levels.

Raising council tax by 2.99 per cent would see the Council’s portion of the council tax bill for a Band D property increase by £5.78 to £199.16 a year and provide £268,000 towards the budget shortfall.

This increase would see homes in Band D still pay less than 55p a day for the 60 services provided by Rother District Council.

Councillor Jeeawon continues: “The Council plans to make savings from our Financial Stability Programme over the coming financial year, but more of the Council’s reserves may need to be used to balance the budget if extra income or budget reductions are not identified.

“I’d like to reassure residents that service reductions will be a last resort and we’ll protect the priorities that are important to our local communities by making efficiency savings and increasing our income wherever we can.

“I encourage people to take part in the consultation so we can ensure their views are heard as we finalise these difficult decisions next month.”

People can find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting https://www.rother.gov.uk/news/rother-district-council-2023-24-budget-consultation/.

The consultation closes on Tuesday, 31 January, 2023.

The results of the consultation will be considered when the final budget proposals are debated by Cabinet and Full Council in February.

Published: 5th January 2023